What about one of the massive, Garmin 1000 - sized units. As big as a cell phone, practically. Not big enough?

do you really need it all on one screen at the same time ?

I just have multiple screens for what I need..

I ride with one unit.

Ask DC Rainmaker - he runs with multiple units during some of his tests. I'm sure he has thoughts.

I use a Garmin 820, with 10 distinct fields of information, and also use the Garmin Varia Vision, which has another 4 customizable fields of data, plus it also has time of day and temperature as static items, so 16 different fields, 14 customizable to view without swapping screens.

1 unit. While the Garmin 520 captures a lot of info to view later, when I ride I only have power and HR showing. It's the only things that matter to me.

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Gary Geiger
http://www.geigerphoto.com Professional photographer

TEAM KiWAMi NORTH AMERICA http://www.kiwamitri.com, Rudy Project http://www.rudyprojectusa.com, GU https://guenergy.com/shop/ ; Salming World Ambassador; https://www.shopsalming.com

I run a Garmin 530 and a Phenix 5 watch-- does that count?

I race with a Garmin 810 and 920 but I only look at the 810 while racing. The 920 is on my wrist for the swim, run and total time. I don't bother taking it off for the bike.

right. my problem is not being able to read it. i don't really like to have to switch screens. but if i have more than 3 metrics on 1 screen i can't read it. type is too small. so, i'm happy with a big arse head unit with 6 metrics going, but it would need to be pretty big.

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Dan Empfield
aka Slowman

I suppose I ride with more than one head unit occasionally, but not for the reasons you state...

For every ride I do, I use my garmin 500 with three screens. The first screen is my "Current data" (power, speed, cadence, HR, etc.). Essentially everything I need to pace and ride. 99% of my ride is on that screen. I have a Lap data screen and a ride data screen on pages two and three with summary data for the lap and ride respectively (distance, avg speed, time, KJ, etc.). I only flip to those screens occasionally.

For rides where I am going out on a new route, I wear my 920xt with the navigation on to map my route out. I do not use my edge 500 map because I cannot see the data I need to pace my ride and navigate at the same time so I have the navigation on my watch, which could be described as a second "head unit". I really only do that for new routes on training rides.

Most computers have an auto scroll functionality. So you could limit the fields per page to say 4 so they are all visible to you, then program as many pages as you can to scroll through all the data fields you want. Another trick could be to always keep 1 or 2 fields at the top of each page that you always want to see, such as power and HR. Then have the other two fields on each page different. That way it looks like only the bottom two fields are scrolling. If you can set up 10 pages scrolling, you could effectively have 22 fields available to you that are all visible without pushing a button...just not all at the same time.

You could go all DCRainmaker and run 5 or more head units (only works with ANT+, BTLE has to be 2 to 2); but a better approach might be to have your head unit scroll through various pages for you.
Pretty sure most head units can do this.

if I saw a guy riding with multiple head units I would quickly assume he is a douche.

i don't care whether you think i'm a douche. so that's not a consideration. but a head unit that auto-scrolls between panes would probably solve my problem. i hadn't considered that.

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Dan Empfield
aka Slowman

I'll use two on my gravel rig. Why? Because I have two 520s (primary and a backup) and don't want to spend more for one of those Garmin 10xx units. One (mounted out front - also have my cycliq fly 12 out there) for following the course and the other above my stem for the metrics. It's definitely silly but works - I could change screens but I just don't like taking my hands off the bars that often.

How many other racers do this? In my last race I realized how cumbersome and annoying it was to keep rotating my left arm inwards to look at my numbers.

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@floathammerholdon | @partners_in_tri

get a pair of sunglasses w/readers built in. Works for me!

I just picked up a 520 to replace a 510 that jumped off my bike and got run over by a car.

I run a screen with Time, Speed, Distance, HR, Cadence, Altitude, and ToD.

I would give up pretty much any metric to run one of the Omata computers. I saw one yesterday and it looks amazing!


jake

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Get outside!

I have a Garmin 935 on my wrist, and an SRM PC7 head unit on the bike. The cool thing (to me) about this setup is my Garmin broadcasts my heart rate to the SRM. If I need extra fields, I'll have them on my wrist and glance at it every once in a while.

Paging DCRainmaker!

I get by fine with multiple screens on my Garmin. At this point I can see 5 things, but I might have to move down to 4 soon :-(

Screen 1 is the "really need to know fairly often and need it at a glance" stuff (power, HR, time, cadence and speed). The key for Screen 1 is some discipline on "need" vs "want just because it is fun to know." The next screen is stuff I might need to see a couple times a ride but the data is not real time critical such as distance, KJ, TSS, etc. (That is, the stuff that if I am hammering too hard to swipe a screen I don't need it anyway). Then there is the "I wonder what . . . " page for random stuff I want to see now and then such as time of day, temp, averages, etc. The last page is a dedicated lap page I use if I am doing intervals.

My issue with screen scrolling the few times I have tried it is that it keeps me from seeing my "at a glance" stuff when I need it. I look down for my 3 second power at a critical time and I end up only seeing that sunset is going to be in 7 hours and it is 74 degrees out . . . . .

A few years ago I was often seen riding with 2 units, but that's because I was doing testing for Bryton and had my Edge 500 along for comparison.

Nowadays I usually ride with the 500 for speed/distance/power display, and use my 920XT for HR. I've dealing with afib for the last year, so I want something displaying HR 100% of the time, and I'll scroll through all the other functions on the 500...

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"I'm thinking of a number between 1 and 10, and I don't know why!"

One other very cool option, if you have Di2, is that you can configure the shifter hood buttons to rotate through Garmin screens. It is super cool, and kind of extends the use of the head unit.

I am even toying with the idea of adding another button to my TT extension that I can program to change Garmin screens on my Di2 TT bike.

I had a Shimano Flight Deck computer back in the day and I absolutely loved the ability to switch screens with the hood buttons. And I still miss seeing what gear I'm in. Can't wait to get those features back next time i upgrade my bike and get the latest Di2.

One on the bars, one on the wrist, one in the back pocket (iPhone though on one bike it goes on the bar too), and just bought a pair of Bragi The Dash ear buds that provides info for swim, bike, and running workouts. Way too much equipment and data to deal with for now. As for training, anything goes. Everybody wants something and it’s mostly of anything. Though I’d like to get it all on a single device. Keep new features coming for riders. More robust for more clicks when riding. Make it a smart device where new apps with new functions can be added to existing devices.

Race functionality is more important when there is a need for speed and quickness. I’ve got the age inflicted eyesight thingy going on too so I really want to go quicker than know how fast I’m going. We would all benefit from a color coded (or symbol for color blinded riders) indicator as when to shift up or down based on calculated pedaling efficiency involving power/FTP/HR/Watts and gear ratio. AI in the on-bar brain meter. Incorporate bio markers for gear selection at some point in the future.

For the future of racing, bikes could be equipped with AI dash boards that provide directions (use symbols instead of words) of the course in real time. We could use individually designed bio-marker readers to know when to optimally drink, what to eat, when to back off; all for the sake of smarter racing.

In a race I would like to eventually use an on-board readout of each racer’s times and splits given with comparison to key competitors and overall leaders through use of race chips and radio frequencies. In a single device would be great.

https://www.palmtreesahead.com/blog

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the various Garmin bike computers: 520, 820 and 1030. The 1030 is apparently 3.5 inches in display size, compared to 2.4 inches for the 820, if that helps.

Like others have noted, consider the Edge 1030 in terms of pure screen clarity and real estate. I think you'd find that even at 6 metrics, you'd see it better than 2 units each at 3-4 metircs.

Hammerhead's Karoo also is pretty big/clear, though, you won't quite get some of the metrics you noted like air pressure.

As far as riding with multiple head units...by and large it's a pain in the ass. It's rare that I get away with less than 3 head units on any ride, four is the norm, sometimes more. And it's not because I like doing it. Heck, I'd be happy to run with a single head unit...it's just that the reality of doing comparisons and file data gathering requires it. The biggest PITA is really just ensuring they're all charged, and they you've got the settings the way you want them on all units.

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My tiny little slice of the internets: dcrainmaker.com

I have old-ass eyes as well (my contact lenses make me need +2 readers at my desk), but readers don't go well with swim/bike/run activities. I narrowed it down on bike and run to just 2 metrics. Pace and Heartrate on the run, and Power and Power Zone on the bike. I have it on just one metric on the Open Water swim - distance, and one metric for pool swim - Interval distance.

The rest I just look at when I get home.

I have seen Richard Murray ride with a pioneer unit I’m assuming give him power feedback and then a separate garmin unit for gps maybe

+1

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"see the world as it is not as you want it to be"

For the longest time I ran with a SRM Power Control (First a PCV, then PC6) along with a Garmin head unit (500, then 510, now 520). Originally I didn't have much choice as my SRM was a wired unit and I wanted the Garmin for Strava. When I got a wireless SRM I stuck with two for the reasons you mention. I'm 57 and 5 is the max number of data fields that I can put on my 520 and still read it. Still though I have a screen with only 4 fields for doing intervals. Afternoon low angle sun and sunglasses make it hard to read when doing intervals.

A few years back I did the elite national road race at Lake Tahoe and took the SRM PC6 off so the kids wouldn't make fun of me. :-) I left it off and am relatively happy with it. For TT's though I still run both. I like the PC6 for being easy to read and having my current numbers. For the garmin I have a screen that gives me lap AP and splits with it set to record auto laps every mile.

A friend has the new Garmin 1030. I think that if I can figure out a way to justify it to myself, the 1030 would be the answer to my issues.

The eyes are really the only place where I feel my age. At least so far. I know that I can't produce the kind of power I did when I was 25, but it's close enough to where I notice it less than having to use reading glasses for everything.

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Kevin

http://kevinmetcalfe.dreamhosters.com
My Strava

How does one find information on how to accomplish this?

thx ray. sounds like the 1030 is my answer but... ouch.

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Dan Empfield
aka Slowman

It is not really easily document d anywhere I have found. I have only seen it in use on a friend’s bike. And I have seen the settings on mine, but I did not actually enable it.

First, you need the EW-WU111 in-line wireless unit that connects Garmin. Then, you need the E-TUBE software to set it up. On the first screen with the button mapping’s, there is an option in the button action selection to do a Garmin thing. The options are next screen, previous screen, lap, start/stop, control lights, etc.

I use "reader" sunglasses for my old age vision problems. xx2i has polarized ones fairly cheap.
Problem solved!

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Team Zoot So Cal

I don't understand why celL phones aren't used more? Far better everything than a Garmin and these days plenty of battery.

multi focal contacts an option? changed my life a few years ago when the near vision began failing.

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__________________________________________________

Looking for a place to swim? check out http://swimradar.com
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By which the rest of us can deduce who the "douche" really is.

I have a similar problem and have solved it (for now) by using Rudy project custom sport reader glasses.

http://www.e-rudy.com/...ducts/readerslanding

"I'm going to go with battery life for $200, Alex."

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Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One

For longer rides and when I’m not familiar with the course I will keep my head Unit on the course map and rely on my watch for power and HR.

I don’t like cycling through screens to wait to find my real time power or hr. And it really stinks to miss a turn.

I would be very happy with a small light unit that only provides course instruction. One that I could tuck in behind the main head unit. Or better yet a split screen with one or two metrics on top and a map on the bottom.

do you drive with readers?

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Dan Empfield
aka Slowman

Happy to know I'm not the only one that wears contacts to avoid wearing glasses, but still ends up wearing glasses most of the day.




I do this with my Garmin 500 and 920. The 920 is for capturing race data with splits, to be saved and downloaded. I turn the 500 on before they kick us out of the transition area before the race (I have the auto-shutdown turned off) and use that for easy to see bike data; this file gets dumped

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Try not to drown / rock the bike / hobby-jog

I'm using a Fenix 5X on my wrist with iPhone in my back jersey pocket. The voice feature of the iPhone calls out Watts, heart rate and average speed so I never look at my watch on the bike.

Then I have my Garmin 705 mounted to the Hydration between my hands and have Speed, Cadence, Distance on that one to look at.

Three fields still has a large enough font for me.

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Dan Kennison

facebook: @triPremierBike
http://www.PremierBike.com
http://www.PositionOneSports.com

I have driven with my Tifosi readers but I don't like to.

my point is this: i have readers, and you can't drive with them. i have distance glasses, but you can't read with them. my sunglasses are progressives, that's what i drive with. this is the only prescription that would work for what i'm talking about. so, either you ride with progressive prescription lenses or you need head units you can read without glasses.

if there is some other solution i'm happy to hear it. but unless i just missed the memo there is no such thing as one lens, one prescription, that works for both reading and distance, beyond either bifocals or progressives.

which means a bigger head unit. or 2 head units. or a head unit that cycles between screens. or you just limit yourself to 2 or at the most 3 metrics.

i hear ray's complaint about keeping them charged. so, maybe 1 big head unit. but i don't know why a simple head unit that is just bigger isn't on the market. i don't want to spend $600 for a head unit. honestly, i don't care about uploading my ride to strava. which means i don't really much care if i have a GPS in it. i just want to be able to read the mofo. happy to have an old style magnet on the wheel for velocity-based metrics.

so, is there just a dumb slave LARGE head unit out there? that picks up and displays signals from my peripherals on the bike?

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Dan Empfield
aka Slowman

While my long vision is ok, it is not great either. So I usually where bifocals for driving and general use. I never feel I need a prescription for riding, only seeing those little numbers on that tiny screen.

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Team Zoot So Cal

OK, I understand where you are coming from with the readers issue. My far vision is fine I just can't see up close any more so the standard reader sunglasses work for me.

Without glasses - I use a garmin 810 on the bike with the top two files as big as they can go and then four smaller fields under them. The two big fields are power and ave power on the first page, power and lap ave power on the second page. Those are the 2 pages I use the most.

Since those two metrics are the most important to me while riding/racing, I can make everything else small. Would you think that the biggest fields on the Garmin 810 would be big enough for you? Do you need more metrics that are larger or maybe don't like switching pages?

Your rides are more than 12 hours? Wow impressive...

So you’re getting 12 hours of battery life on a smartphone running apps, with backlight always on, with location services on, and Bluetooth or whatever else running???

Sure.

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Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One

Why are you speaking for everybody else? Is it so that you feel better about insinuating that I am a douche? Or are you arrogant enough to think that everyone shares your opinion. Speak for yourself mate, it all safe in here.

I do run 2 head units at times, partially for the ability to have all the data I want on screen all the time and partially because I don't always trust my second unit, Bryton 330. I primarily used a Garmin 310 XT until the power button started to fail. I just leave it on all the time, sitting on the charger now, but if it got drained or turned off and I couldn't get it turned back on, I needed something else. I got a Bryton 330, which I like for the most part, but have had some issues getting data off. So, if I'm going on a ride where I really don't want to lose the data, I'll but both on. And I found that for racing, I like to have both. Bryton is on an out front mount and the Garmin goes on the handlebars.

How long you worked at Garmin?

iPhone 8 13 hours play back test

https://www.google.com.au/...8-plus-and-iphone-x/

I don’t know but I’ve found watching Netflix etc I can easily get 6+hours which I’m guessing is more than enough for most people’s rides.

Just seems we are all locked into this mindset that you need a Garmin or wahoo or whatever when the most feature packed and aerodynamic head unit is sitting in your pocket.

I'm just that arrogant 😉

Where did I say you needed a Garmin or anything?

I simply said you're not getting 12 hours of battery life. You're also not getting 6 hours using it as a bike computer. Those tests and your personal Netflix anecdote are great and all but...

50% brightness as run in those tests isn't going to cut it outside in the bright sun.
Bluetooth wasn't running. So if the phone needs to connect to any sensors on bike or body, BT needs to be on.
Location services wasn't on, which is something you need if you want to use any type of GPS app functionality.
Hot temps outside.

I tried to use my iPhone 7+ as a bike computer once and it lasted about 90 minutes with brightness set high, screen always on, BT running to connect to power meter and HR, Strava app running for metrics/GPS, location services on, and in 90+ degree heat. Meanwhile my bike computer lasts like 15+ hours doing the same thing.

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Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One

The battery life of the 8 is much better than the 7 but I will try it this weekend to see how it goes. I always have Bluetooth, wifi and location services turned on with screen at 100% brightness and for a normal business trip which involves 1hr taxi web surfing/emailing, 1 hour in the lounge web surfing/emailing, 4.5 flight using phone with wifi to connect to planes IFE and then another hour taxi ride from airport to destination and have plenty of charge-that’s pretty intensive use over a 6 hour period.

My Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt has tons of customizable "pages" as well as zoom buttons to increase size (which in turn reduces the metrics).

I've held on to my Cycleops GPS unit because I don't know how to calibrate my Cycleops PowerBeam Pro without it.

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